The Ontario government has announced temporary measures to allow liquor-licensed establishments to sell alcohol with food takeout and delivery orders will be made permanent, according to a statement issued Wednesday evening.
The initiatives were introduced earlier in 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic, billed as a means to help increase sales at Ontario’s bars, restaurants, distilleries and wineries.
Other previously announced reforms, including the allowance of the sale of alcohol on docked boats with liquor sales licences, lower minimum pricing for on-site spirit consumption, and the elimination of a requirement for third parties delivering booze from licensed establishments to have a liquor licence, will also be made permanent.
The government also lifted rules pertaining to the delivery of alcoholic drinks in meal kits and allowed alcohol manufacturers to deliver products for a fee as well as restaurants and bars to sell mixed cocktails for delivery.
For permitted alcohol manufacturers, those businesses will be allowed to sell spirits and 100-per-cent Ontario wine at farmers’ markets across the province.
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